This article was written by Cheryl Weldon, MA. If you would like to read further writings by Cheryl visit her website: www.cawworldwide.com
Infobarrel is a great place to publish your work and has a wonderful community of writers. If you would like to wite for Infobarrel sign up here.
(you also need an account to comment on articles, so sign up now and let us know what you think about what you're reading.)

InfoBarrel is a writing platform for non-fiction, reference-based, informative content. Opinions expressed by InfoBarrel writers are their own.

The History of the American Bullfighter

In the professional rodeo events the task of protecting the bull rider now falls on the bullfighter while the rodeo clown once again focuses on entertaining the crowd. There is much debate between historians on when the first rodeo actually occurred. Cowboys of old often competed against each other for bragging rights about who was the best bronc or bull rider; who could rope a calf or pull down a steer faster. Spectators began gathering around the corrals to watch and towns in the frontier began to have yearly events. When the events became more organized and spectators started paying; the need for entertainment was inevitable. People grew restless and bored between competitions. Thus the rodeo clown was born.

Probably the first rodeo clowns were cowboys telling jokes to the crowd; however, they evolved to painting their faces, wearing baggy pants and colorful shirts, and adding props such as trained ponies or dogs. The purpose of their job was to entertain the crowd between competitions. They bantered with the announcers and cowboys and usually had well practiced routines.

The Job of the Rodeo Clown Evolved to Bullfighting

The rodeo clowns’ job soon included protecting the bull riders from possible injuries by making themselves the targets for the charging bulls once the rider was either thrown or jumped off after a successful eight seconds ride. The rodeo clowns used barrels to help protect themselves and became adept at using the barrels as props for their entertainment routines; showing their athletic abilities by diving into the barrels. Those who did most of the “barrel skills” in a clowning team were referred to as barrelmen. Clowns and barrelmen further proved their athleticism by dancing around the bulls and at times leaping the bull’s head inches away from the dangerous horns in order to distract the bull from a downed rider. The focus was always to position themselves between the rider and the bull.

The evolutionCredit: photo by Ed Schipul of the rodeo clown continued and though there are still clowns and barrelmen who perform for the audience; in professional events, the bull riders are protected by what are now referred to as bullfighters. The bullfighter is not there to provide entertainment; his primary purpose is to protect the cowboys riding the bulls. He makes himself the target, gets the attention of the bull, and is usually the first to help a cowboy hung up in the bull rope.

Attire of the Bullfighter

The bullfighters do not wear face paint and though their clothes are loose, it is not baggy like that of the clown or barrelman. They wear loose-fitting jerseys and shorts, which allow for maximum movement; and also make a bigger target for the bull as bullfighter Frank Newsom so eloquently put it, “The bull might think he’s got you, when he’s just got your Credit: photo by Paul J Everetteshorts.” A vest is worn under the outer clothing, features hard plastic outer shells on the front and back and features break-away construction in the event of a hooking. The bullfighter also wears foam padded garments underneath the outer layer to keep their muscles warn and loose and to provide extra protection.

Bullfighters and Rodeo Clowns are Professional Athletes

The profession has becomes specialized to the point there are now schools for rodeo clowning and bullfighting. However, most of the current bullfighters started young as did their predecessors, and learned the art from mentors. These men are agile and quick and have a keen sense of what the bulls are going to do. Much like the fire fighter or policeman, the bullfighter is there to protect and serve the cowboy. He must be willing to jump into a situation that may end his life.

Dickies is the official sponsor of the bullfighters in the Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR) events. Elite bullfighters have years of experience and are trusted beyond measure by the cowboys they protect. Each year, the top 40 bull riders on the PBR tour vote for the bullfighters they want protecting them on tour and in the year-end finals in Las Vegas. The 2010 PBR Dickie team included 20 year veteran Joe Baumgartner, 16 year veteran Frank Newsom, 10 year veteran Shorty Gorham, and 15 year veteran Darrell Diefenbach.

In any sCredit: Photo by Cheryl Weldonport injury is a possibility; but perhaps even more so when facing a rampaging 1200 pound bull. Pat Atherton, retired rodeo clown repeats what he was told by the old-timers, “When working with livestock it isn’t a question of if you get hurt; it’s a question of how severe the injury. You always want to do what you can to reduce the severity of the injury.” Good advice for the dare-devils who put their lives on the line for the bull rider.